Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 25 September 2011

Dear Family,

Miracle Michael - During his mission, the Lord saw fit for him survive electrocution that he might continue his work on the earth. Now the Lord has blessed Michael with a young lady that accepted his proposal of marriage that they may continue their work on the earth together. Congratulations to Michael & Melanie!  Wedding plans are being firmed up - they intend to be married this December. The whole clan is all excited about getting together and anxious to get plans made. But wait that isn’t all - Michael has been accepted to start attending BYU this coming winter semester! Congratulations Michael!!! 

Hreinson Return - Saudades... Gratefully, Ryan & Rachel & tribe safely returned to Denver after their Michigan visit. They did indeed arrive home safely, but not necessarily healthy. We pray that they will quickly overcome the various minor maladies that besieged them. Thanks for the visit! 

Coughers Connection - Meanwhile, Mom & Dad are coughing like it is going out of style. Dad took her home early from the temple on Tuesday evening, due to an uncontrollable coughing episode. Mom’s doctor visit on Wednesday morning had no conclusive diagnoses, but she has an allergy pill to see if that clears it up.

Home Improvement - Dad helped Ryan (on Ryan’s birthday) install four recessed lights in their kitchen.  It really helped brighten up their kitchen, and most importantly, Maureen is happy. Dad helped Grandma Nilace move and arrange the plethora of furniture (couches, kingsize bed, TV, dresser, chest of drawers, etc.) in her newly completed basement bed & TV rooms.

Dirty Bird Job - Dad must think he is practicing for an audition to the “Dirty Jobs” TV show. He crawled into the attic to clean out a bird mess and to plug the holes they left. It smelled like a filthy chicken coop and was dirty and dusty in the cramped quarters of the eve edge. Then he risked life and limb (OK that is a little over dramatic, but it was scary) by climbing onto the steep pitched roof to replace the damaged vent (which is where the birds were entering) and cleaned the bird mess from the roof before it clogged the rain gutters. Dad is grateful to have that dirty & worrisome double dose of bird poop job done!

Date to Create - Much of Mom’s available time and energy has been focused on a very full Relief Society agenda including an upcoming Saturday creativity activity. Thankfully, she has very capable counselors and Board Members to carry out the plans. 

Bikers Color Tour - Mom, Dad & Vanessa specially enjoyed their cool fall air ride, along Clinton River Trail because the tree leaves are starting to show their bright beautiful yellow, orange and red fall colors.

Sports - The Detroit Tigers have clinched their division. And this clan’s fall schedule is packed with baseball, football and soccer players along with a swimmer and a couple of dancers. No couch potatoes here!

Tyler goes for a pass

Speak, Hear, See - Papa & Nona got to talk to, hear and see Lara, Abby, Sarah and Sam Friday evening. Dad even took Lara for a virtual tour of the new and rearranged family room furniture and basement TV room with his iPhone. It felt good to spend the time to connect with them.

Myriam’s Family Birthday Party was a success thanks to all the family that came and brought food, gifts and specially lots of joy!

Myriam's Birthday Party

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 18 September 2011

Dear Family,

Balls Balls - This week has been full of feet and balls. Tyler’s frustrating football game on Thursday in Port Huron was attended by Jim, Vanessa, Papa and Ryan Hreinson. Saturday morning, Joshua, Preston and Jacob played their spirited games of flag football in the Upward League in Fraser. Samantha played her overwhelming win soccer game in Sterling Heights on Saturday at noon in Sterling Heights. Ryan and Rachel Hreinson and Papa were shocked to watch BYU give the game to Utah on a virtual silver platter. 

Tyler throws the perfect pass!

Jacob grabs flag for a loss on the play!

Preston runs for a gain.

Sam boots it down field.

Bikers - Monday Papa and Nona hosted a bike ride for Ryan, Rachel, Mia and Lydia on the Clinton River Trail.  Mia & Lydia enjoyed the playground at the end of our hike.

For the Birds - Tuesday Dad crawled up into the attic to find that birds had found a way in and had setup housekeeping or more correctly mess-making just above Rachel’s bedroom. Another item on Dad’s to do list.

Zootrip - Wednesday Papa & Nona hosted a trip to the zoo for Sophia, Mia, Lydia and Rachel & Ryan.  They saw all sorts of animals including: butterflies, birds, penguins, frogs, bears, seals, giraffes, rhinoceroses, monkeys, lions, camels, etc. Not to mention that the picnic lunch was joined by five freeloading peacocks. 

Lydia, Rachel, Sophia, Mia, Ryan - Butterfly House

Ancient Art Adventure - Friday morning, Papa & Nona took the Hreinson’s to the Detroit Institute of Art to see the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman exhibits.

Happy Reign - The family has really enjoyed the visit of Rachel & Ryan. Special thanks to Jim & Vanessa and Ryan & Maureen for their hospitality. It has been a great time together for the children and for the adults. We will missed them when they leave for Denver tomorrow. We were grateful to be altogether Sunday evening to celebrate Ryan’s 35th and Mia’s 4th birthdays which will actually be the 20th.  Happy Birthday to both!

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 11 September 2011

Dear Family,

Family Camp Inn – The Labor Day celebrations included: games and fun;  a Sunday evening to Monday morning sleep over at Papa & Nona’s and a pancake, eggs, bacon breakfast.

Biker Brigade – This week the biker brigade included: Mom, Dad, Vanessa, Maureen, Sophia and Rex. They bike hiked from the Southeast trailhead along the Clinton River Trail to the playground and Nature Center and back again. Rex and Sophia enjoyed the visit to the playground and nature center. Saturday morning after an evening rain storm, Papa biked a long trail dodging flooded spots on his way to Ryan’s.

R & R Clan Arrival – The Ryan & Rachel Hreinson Clan arrived on Wednesday and Papa was the designated “Limo Driver” lucky enough to pick them up, while Nona drove Grandma Sparks to the doctor. Just as the plane landed Mia looked out the plane window and was disappointed that she did not see Papa there.  Soon enough, Papa found Mia and her family at the baggage claim and all was hugs and kisses and smiles. It has been one party after another between Ryan & Maureen, Jim & Vanessa and Papa & Nona hosting various meals and games.

The Henry Ford – On Friday, Papa & Nona hosted the Hreinson clan history tour, which took them to the Ford Museum and Rouge Factory in Dearborn. It was a great show and we all learned a little bit about the history of and current level of technology of the auto industry. Papa found the best red color for an F-150.

Stake Conference – this weekend was highlighted with opportunities for edification with leadership meetings on Saturday and the Sunday morning general session. David Jensen was sustained as a counselor in the Stake Presidency replacing John Mackey. Both are great men. This makes that every former bishop of the Sterling Heights Ward has served in the Stake Presidency since Papa did in the late 1980’s.

Of course, the Clan all came over for dinner and fun, photos and canoeing at Papa and Nona’s after the Sunday Conference session.

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 4 September 2011

Dear Family,

Zoojourners - Monday, Papa took the zoobuddies - Samantha, Joshua, Preston, Jacob, Olivia and Sophia to the zoo. They were entertained in the Wild Adventure Ride with Dino Island II. They enjoyed being together, seeing the exhibits. learning about the animals, playing in the playground and staying until the park closed, while Nona caught up with the laundry at home.

Nature Biker Buddies - Thursday morning, Papa & Nona with Vanessa loaded up bikes and grandbuddies and biked along the Clinton River Nature Trail to the Sterling Heights Nature Center and back. It was fun, edifying exercise for all. 

Back-packers to School - Michael packed up and drove back to school with Ryan Drake on Wednesday and they safely arrived on Thursday. The Idaho (1) and Texas (3) grandbuddy schoolers have already started backpacking to school and the Michigan bunch (10) start on Tuesday. Papa and Nona pray that these precious grandchildren will: absorb all truth; reject the untruth; be given the power to discern the difference, to be prepared for the future opportunities that will come their way. May they be so blessed.

Came to Pass - For many years Dad and sons home-taught a less active Bill Leutze, who later became active and married Gail Arndt; they had two children. We were saddened to hear that Brother Leutze lost his lengthy battle against cancer last week. Mom & Dad and Stebar’s attended the viewing on Friday and Saturday morning funeral. It was a somber occasion, but the spirit of hope for the future, that the gospel “good news” brings, prevailed, blessing and edifying all.

Alert - Hreinson’s are coming on Wednesday the 7th at 3:10 pm. Be prepared to have some fun!

Love y’all, Mom & Dad